Fire chute arrangement



April 1962 c. E. JOHNSON ETAL 3,027,966

FIRE CHUTE ARRANGEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1959 INVENTORS 6.Ema/Johnson ATTORNEY N QM April 1962 c. E. JOHNSON ETAI. 3,027,966

FIRE CHUTE ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. 5, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY mm .u%%

ATTORNEY April 3, 1962 c. E. JOHNSON ETAL 3,027,966

FIRE CHUTE ARRANGEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 5. 1959 40 42 44 64FIG. I3

INVENTORS 6. E/mer Johnson Freoen'c/r K. K/mge/mfe/ BY 41/ aLte/vATTORNEY 3,027,966 FIRE CE ARRANGEMENT Clas Elmer Johnson and FrederickC. Klingelhoter, both of 8622 Quentin Ave, Baltimore, Md. Filed on. 5,1959, Ser. No. 844,574 Claims. (Cl. 18249) This invention relatesgenerally to fire escape apparatus, and, more particularly, it pertainsto a mobile, extendable chute for rescuing trapped persons or smallanimals.

Many people are burned to death every year because of their reluctanceto jump into a rescue net or descend a fire ladder from upper windows orroofs of buildings. Often, when a ladder is raised to the trappedperson, the latter is unable to use it because of enveloping flames fromlower windows.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a combinedrescue chute and ladder for rescuing persons from burning buildings.

Another object of this invention is to provide an articulated rescuechute tube which is readily stowed for portability.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a rigid segmentedtube arrangement for use in fire escape apparatus.

And another object of this invention is to provide a telescopic rescuechute with a motor-driven extension mechanism.

And yet another object of this invention is to provide a stowagearrangement for securing rescue chute segments in a vehicle for readyservice.

These and other objects and attendant advantages of the invention willbecome more readily apparent and understood from the accompanyingspecification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile fire rescue chute and laddercombination in raised position adjacent to a building for service; I

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the fire rescue chute and ladder in stowedcondition, with one tube segment being removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail view, partly in section, of a joint securing clasp;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 55 of FIG. 2 illustrating oneof the opened secondary chutes;

FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing of a stowage chuck;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternate segmented tube arrangement showingmotor-driven telescopic extension provisions therefor;

FIG. 8 is a detail drawing, partly in section, of a motor drive fortelescoping tubes;

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing showing articulated tubes in stowedposition on an elevating stage or platform;

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are illustrative step diagrams, respectively, ofthe stowed, partly articulated, and final joining of tube segments ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a detail drawing of an elevating hoist; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-section taken in the direction of the arrows 14I4 ofFIG. 13.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown generally thereina safety slide or chute 20. Chute 20 is constructed of lightweight metalor composition tubing having a smooth polished interior.

A pair of jacks 24 and 26, shown in detail in FIGS. 13 and 14, aresecured in spaced relationship upon the bed of a fire truck vehicle 22.The jacks 24 and 26 are pivotally attached to the chute 26 by means ofstirrups 28. By means of jack handles 30, the jacks 24 and 26 may be3,027,966 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 individually raised or lowered. If therearmost jack 24 is extended farther than the forward jack 26, the chute20 is elevated at itsend remote from the vehicle 22.

Aided by movement of the vehicle 22, the chute 20 can be maneuvered toupper windows of a burning building, as shown. The person being rescuedslides down within the chute 26 to land upon an inflated air mat orresilient cushion 3 2. From there, he eases himself to the ground levelby means of a secondary chute or guide 34 of heavy fabric attached tothe side of the vehicle 22.

A hinged plate 36, shown in FIG. 1, pivoting at one end from the body ofthe vehicle 22 supports the outer edge of the fabric of guide 34 and mayalso serve as a door for a stowage compartment 38, as shown in FIGS. 2and 5.

For stowage and transportation, the chute 20 is divided into a pluralityof segments 40, 42, and 44, as best shown in FIG. 3. The terminalsection or segment 40 is retained in its stirrup 28, while the othersegments 42 and 44 are disposed to either side in cradles 46 and held inplace by quick-release toggle clamps and cables 48.

To provide ready sideward removal of the segments 42 and 44, the cradles46 are cut away at the side and removable chucks 50, shown in detail inFIG. 6, are used.

A plurality of spring clasps 52, shown in FIG. 4, engaging with an endring or dog 54, join the mortised and tenoned ends of the tube segments40, 42 and 42, 44 into a rigid assembly capable of supporting a ladder60.

Rings 56 and hand rails 58 to make up the latter 60 may be welded orriveted directly to the tubing of the tube segments 40, 42, and 44, asshown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and the orientation of the chute 20simultaneously positions the ladder 60 for most advantageous rescuework.

FIG. '9 illustrates an alternative arrangement for articulating the tubesegments 40, 42, and 44. A platform 62 is supported upon the jacks 24and 26. The terminal tube segment 40 is stowed at one side of theplatform 62, as shown. The next tube segment 42 is joined to theterminal tube segment 40 by means of a hinge 64. Another hinge 64similarly joins the other end of tube segment 42 to tube segment 44, asshown best in FIG. 10.

The steps of joining the tube segments 40, 42, and 44, for service areshown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in consecutive order. The tube segments 42 and44 are manually removed from the platform 62, and unfolded and swungaround until the clasps 52 engage with their dogs 54, thus placing allsegments in line, rigidly secured by the previously mentioned mortiseand tenon joints therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 12, the entire line of segments 40, 42, and 44 makingup the safety slide or chute 20 is then pushed bodily rightward by apair of hydraulic cylinders 66 to the center of the platform 62 whichthen may be raised and canted to elevate the chute .20 for rescueservice as related.

If the ladder feature is not required, a telescopic arrangement forstowing the tube segments 40, 42, and 44 may be employed. This alternatearrangement, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, has the added feature oflength extension of the chute 20. A plurality of chute tube segments 68are arranged to telescope within each other in sliding fit.

A motor 70 is attached to each segment 68 and arranged to drive a wormgear 72 through a reduction gearing '74. A rack rail 76 on an adjacentsegment 68 engages this worm gear 72 to extend the tube segments 68 fromeach other as the motor 70 rotates. No clasp or other lock is requiredbecause the worm and rack arrangement is self-locking at any degree ofextension. The various parts of the apparatus are preferably made oflightweight metal, such as aluminum.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is,therefore, to be understood that Within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specificallydescribed.

What is claimed is:

1. A combined rescue chute and ladder, arrangement for use in rescuingpersons from burning buildings, comprising, a base, a pair of spacedelevating jacks mounted on said base, said spaced jacks being arrangedto be operated independently as Well as together, a stirrup mounted onthe upper end of each said jack, a chute formed of a plurality oftubular sections arranged to be mounted end to end to form a continuoustube, said tubular chute being pivotally attached near one end to itsrespective stirrup, said spaced jacks being operated to give any desiredangle to said chute and then raise said chute bodily at said desiredangle, and a ladder section mounted on each said tubular section andarranged in a continuous line when said tubular sections are in axialalignment.

2. A combined rescue chute and ladder arrangement for use in rescuingpersons from burning buildings, comprising, a base, a pair of spacedelevating jacks mounted on said base and arranged to be operatedindependently as well as together, a stirrup mounted on the upper end ofeach said jack, a chute formed of a plurality of tubular sectionsarranged to be mounted end to end to form a continuous tube, saidtubular chute being pivotally attached near one end to its respectivestirrup, said spaced jacks being operated to give any desired angle tosaid chute and then raise as well as lower said chute bodily at saiddesired angle, a ladder section mounted on each said tubular section andarranged in a continuous line when said tubular sections are in axialalignment, said tubular sections being substantially parallel arrangedWhen said chute is in an inoperative position.

3. A combined rescue chute and ladder arrangement for use in rescuingpersons from burning buildings, comprising, a base, a pair of spacedelevating jacks mounted on said base and arranged to be operatedindependently as well as together, a stirrup mounted on the upper end ofeach saidjack, a chute formed of at least two tubular sections arrangedto be mounted end to end to form a continuous tube, said tubular chutebeing pivotally attached near one end to its respective stirrup, saidspaced jacks being operated to give any desired angle to said chute andthen raise as Well as lower said chute bodily at said desired angle, anda ladder section mounted on each said tubular section and arranged in acontinuous line when said tubular sections are in axial alignment.

4. A combined rescue chute and ladder arrangement for use in rescuingpersons from burning buildings, comprising, a base, a pair of spacedelevating jacks mounted on said base, said spaced jacks being arrangedto be operated independently as well as together, a stirrup mounted onthe upper end of each said jack, and a chute formed of a plurality oftubular sections disposed side-by-side and arranged to be mounted end toend to form a con tinuous tube, said tubular chute being pivotallyattached near one end to its respective stirrup, said spaced jacks beingoperated to give any desired angle to said chute and then raise saidchute bodily at said desired angle.

5. A combined rescue chute and ladder arrangement for use in rescuingpersons from burning buildings, comprising, a base, a pair of spacedelevating jacks mounted on said base, said spaced jacks being arrangedto be operated independently as Well as together, a stirrup mounted onthe upper end of each said jack, and a chute formed of a plurality oftubular sections arranged to be mounted end to end to form a continuoustube, said tubular chute being pivotally attached near one end to itsrespective stirrup, said spaced jacks being operated to give any desiredangle to said chute and then raise said chute bodily at said desiredangle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS139,416 OBrien May 27, 1873 1,581,660 Rosgaard Apr. 20, 1926 1,930,884Pardini Oct. 17, 1933 2,465,187 Barrabee Mar. 22, 1949 2,880,977 MaxonApr. 7, 1959

